Author Topic: All you hard tail people... (Read 14875 times)

ColinMc · « **on:** October 30, 2009, 12:36:05 PM »

Ok so after monday I will have 3 CB750 frames sitting around, one of which is already being used in one project, but with all my spare cb750 stuff I can build another bike. I'm thinking of going with a bare bones chopper hard tail build. Stock wheels, stock front end, hard tail, stock tank, cheap seat...etc...

I saw TC Bros has a weld on kit (what I would want to use) but do any other companies carry weld on hard tail tubes?

More importantly, how harsh of a ride can I expect from this sucker, should i use a shock for the seat or just the typical springs? It won't be a distance cruiser by any means but i'm just curious what you people that have done the hardtail conversion have to say about how it rides...Any pics you guys with hard tails wanna post would be cool too.

EDIT: If this is more appropriate for the "Project" section i'm sorry and please move it.

myhondas · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:44:48 PM »

My First and Main question is this. Why oh why would you want to build a hard tail?

Have you ever ridden one and if so, how did you like it? I know it wasn't all that comfortable and ask any doctor how good it is for your spine. Why ruin a perfectly designed bike like the cb750 into a bone jarring, rough riding, short distance machine? Build a cafe or make a stock or custom. IMHO that is.

Really? · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:48:52 PM »

I thought hard tails were strickly a BobbyR thread post.

ColinMc · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:59:44 PM »

Lol, well I already own a crapload of bikes, I have a bunch of CB750 parts sitting around, i'm already building a CB750 cafe.

I have never ridden a hard tail, but love the clean look of it...hence me starting this thread.

paddy paul · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:05:50 PM »

Get the shock type seat set up and a mouthguard (football style) for when you hit those dips,

and u should be ok.. I had a hardtail sporty about 20 years ago and I loved.. but I was also 20.. I don't know if my 40 year old spine could hold up as well as it did back then... I say build what you want, I love the way a hardtail looks, but I also like the cafe's and the stockers..

The_Crippler · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:19:15 PM »

Yeah, I love the way they look as well - but as you see, admitting that on here is like admitting that you're a Republican in Hollywood. Sure, there's more than you might think, but they get in trouble if they speak up.

Gordon · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:23:35 PM »

Quote from: The_Crippler on October 30, 2009, 01:19:15 PM

Yeah, I love the way they look as well - but as you see, admitting that on here is like admitting that you're a Republican in Hollywood. Sure, there's more than you might think, but they get in trouble if they speak up.

Yeah! How dare you ask about doing something to your own bike, that you want to do, that will make absolutely NO difference to anybody else in the world! Jeez, some people are so selfish!

Next thing we know you're gonna start talking about adding in-line filters and a Dyna ignition!

apoji187 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:27:12 PM »

Yeah, good luck sifting through the negative "don't modify it" posts. Also, dont bother posting pics unless its painted in the correct color code paint for that particular year. Also, don't post any pictures or ask about putting pods on it either...

I wouldnt bother with the TC brothers kit. Just get yourself some DOM tubing, and hack off the frame from the mid support back. keep the axle plates from the old frame, and integrate those into the new hardtail. There are a couple of smaller suprises here and there you'll have to deal with, but its not a huge project.

The forward controls kit from TC brothers is kind of nice though...they really nail you on the linkages though.

The_Crippler · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:44:09 PM »

Quote from: apoji187 on October 30, 2009, 01:27:12 PM

Also, don't post any pictures or ask about putting pods on it either...

LOL...Yeah, that's where I was going to go next.

Gordon · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:45:30 PM »

Quote from: The_Crippler on October 30, 2009, 01:44:09 PM

Quote from: apoji187 on October 30, 2009, 01:27:12 PM
Also, don't post any pictures or ask about putting pods on it either...

LOL...Yeah, that's where I was going to go next.

Neighbor killer!

sorry, I'll stop thread-jacking now.

bucky katt · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2009, 02:24:16 PM »

do yourself a favor, along with anyone else here that rides a hardtail. get your self a rigidaire system from paul cox/gasoline alley. it's a small airbag that replaces the seat springs on your solo seat. i had an ironhead sportster chop that i put the rigidaire on and i was able to ride 500-600 mile days and not be totally crippled. http://www.paulcoxindustries.com/home.shtml Paul Cox was Indian Larrys partner and his stuff is absolute top notch quality and the service cant be beat, theyre a bunch of nice guys there.

The_Crippler · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2009, 03:27:47 PM »

Nothing wrong with being Crippled...

bucky katt · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2009, 03:29:48 PM »

Quote from: The_Crippler on October 30, 2009, 03:27:47 PM

Nothing wrong with being Crippled...

BobbyR · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2009, 04:10:45 PM »

Quote from: TipperT on October 30, 2009, 12:48:52 PM

I thought hard tails were strickly a BobbyR thread post.

Post a couple of pictures and you can never live it down.

I had the pleasure of riding a hardtail for a month. It is not a very pleasant experience for more than 15 minutes. It also does not handle very well, the rear wheel wants to step out on rough pavement, especially on turns. It can be ridden, but you are on your toes every second.

There are far better things you can do with your frames. If yoU go the chop route leave the swing arm. I really like the Cafes and bobbers.

bucky katt · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2009, 04:21:19 PM »

the smaller the rim diameter, the taller the tires sidewall can be, which helps with ride quality a little. but like BobbyR says, theyre not for the faint hearted.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2009, 04:22:37 PM »

Sounds like good advice Bobby.

In the end do what you want to do, just make sure you have a good time doing it.

the technological J · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2009, 06:38:06 PM »

i been hanging out with some chopper guys and im curious how rough a hard tail is when i ask them... they say oh its hard alright.... then when talking about the forward controls the builder told me to allow a little room for picking ur self u on bumps.... my opinion is go old shool with a springer seat might as well if u dont like it as u build it keep in mind u can sell it too

cafe2be · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2009, 06:44:40 PM »

check out this site and look up the creator.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4424670
he is in upstate area and has a friend up there that bobbers everything. Very cool guys.

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2009, 07:56:33 PM »

Simple test..
Put struts on it , try it out.. then decide..

Simpler test..
Take a pair of shox you dont like, take the springs off, it will be almost identical, close as you can get, and show how it feels..

Run mid pegs if possible, lots of forward controls dont look that great anyway.. Mid pegs give you an option, of raising your butt a bit when you see a pothole, bridge joint, expansion crack, etc..

I ran a bike with struts after not riding on the hiway for about 15 yrs, made it over 600 miles the first day.. so it can be done.. but it is harsh..

good luck..

vbtiki750 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2009, 10:17:42 PM »

I'm building a bike with struts and a springer seat and dont think its all that bad, but then again I'm 25yrs old and drink diesel with whiskey

. But seriously you can put some heavy duty shocks or springs on a seat these days and not bust up your kidneys. Just my .02

mcuozzo · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2009, 04:49:38 AM »

OK vb, first off you gotta go check out hondachopper.com. There are quite a few other weld on hardtails, custom frames etc that are out there for cb750s. Be prepared to spend a few hours over there...

I had my stock frame chopped and a hardtail welded on by Dave at World Class Welding. Here's Dave's website http://www.tanksbytigman.com/frames-cb750.shtml . His work is top notch, he's a good guy (a little hard to get a hold of).

Price was $495 for the kit and installation. Took about 8 weeks.

I've attached some pictures of his work.

As to why you would hardtail a bike in the first place? It's for the chicks, duh!

ColinMc · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2009, 06:26:58 AM »

Thanks for all the input! After creating this post I realized the backlack I might get lol...I won't be paying anyone else to do any of the work on this sucker, i think I might go the solid strut route and just see how it feels...or the airbag seat route like Bucky was saying sounds interesting. OR i have a cool idea for a rear suspension that I have to sort out...but don't want to give away until I see if it works or not...I won't have time to mess this with this until after my beater truck project is done this week. But it'll be a fun project during the down time on my Tracy Cafe build.

funkdr5 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2009, 08:07:13 AM »

I agree with apoji187... I had a welder friend make me up a hardtail with tubing but later wished Id have done it myself.

ColinMc · « **Reply #23 on:** October 31, 2009, 08:18:43 AM »

This is the look i'm kind of going for, not raked out just low and mean. Simple...I realize this is a custom honda frame not just a weld on hard tail. Oh and at work today I was told I can have a police seat for free! With an air bladder for a suspension built in or something...so i'm gonna see what that looks like and if it'll work for this.

I plan on NOT using forward controls and going with drag bars.

That's from a members build on Honda Chopper hope there are no issues with that. I won't be using a tank like that, but this is just to give an idea of the general lines i'm going for.

nokrome · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2009, 08:41:51 AM »

+1 on doing it yourself......just remember that there's more to it than just slapping on a hard tail, geometry and alignment are critical,
sometimes its worth the money to have somebody that has experience help you
but then again for all i know you might have mad hard tail welding skills

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Author Topic: All you hard tail people... (Read 14875 times)

apoji187

vbtiki750